Stellar Blade Studio Boosts Morale with Bonuses and PS5 Pro Consoles

Summary

• Stellar Blade developer Shift Up gifted its employees a PlayStation 5 Pro and around $3,400 following the game's success.
• The title continues to see popularity, with several high-profile crossovers driving engagement.
• A PC port is expected to be released in 2025.

Shift Up, the creative force behind the acclaimed action-adventure game Stellar Blade, has generously rewarded its entire team with a PlayStation 5 Pro and a bonus of approximately $3,400. Launched in April 2024, Stellar Blade quickly became one of the year's standout titles, garnering widespread acclaim from both players and critics.

Despite initial debates over the protagonist's attire, Stellar Blade soared in popularity on the PS5 after its release. The game has an impressive average score of 82 on OpenCritic and has been honored with multiple awards and nominations. It's celebrated for its dynamic combat, stunning art direction, and captivating soundtrack. Notably, Yoko Taro, the creator of Nier, praised Stellar Blade as "better than NieR: Automata," a claim the game's director firmly refuted. The dedication of Shift Up's team was recently acknowledged with substantial year-end bonuses, celebrating the game's continued success.

Shift Up shared a touching video on Twitter, showing its staff receiving their complimentary PlayStation 5 Pros. With over 300 employees, the Korean studio ensured that every team member received one of Sony's latest consoles as a token of appreciation for their hard work. Alongside the consoles, each employee was awarded a $3,400 bonus. A company representative stated that these generous rewards aim to motivate the team moving forward. In July 2024, Shift Up raised $320 million through a public offering on South Korea's stock market, marking it as the second-largest IPO in the country for that year.

Shift Up Gifts All Employees a PlayStation 5 Pro and Around $3,400

Stellar Blade's momentum continues to grow, fueled by exciting collaborations. In November 2024, the game introduced a Nier: Automata DLC, featuring new items and costumes. Later in December, a future collaboration with Goddess of Victory: Nikke was announced, though specific details and timelines remain undisclosed. Additionally, a festive holiday event was added to the game in mid-December, enhancing the city of Xion with decorations, new music, and costumes for characters Eve and Adam.

Originally a PlayStation 5 exclusive, Stellar Blade is set to expand to PC in 2025, although no specific release date has been announced. Shift Up hinted at a PC version in June 2024, expressing optimism about the game's potential success on the new platform. Stellar Blade achieved a remarkable milestone by selling one million copies on the PS5 within its first two months of release.